“Why would anyone be silly enough to create such a thing?” Daena asked. “It’s crazy.”
“So is remaking Eternity,” Wren remarked. “That’s what the first ones were trying to do.”
“Doomsday,” a deep female voice said from the back of the room.
Bannor turned toward the sound. Giant Irodee was leaned forward on the couch. Her daughter Marta was asleep with her head in the woman’s lap. The huge Myrmigyne had been so quiet during the proceedings that Bannor had almost forgotten she was still with them. One thing he had learned about the big woman, she was extremely smart in addition to being well educated.
“Doomsday,” Irodee repeated looking down and stroking her daughter’s hair. “Many of the elder races built engines of destruction as deterrents to prevent the aggression of competing cultures. The Numinorians were wiped out by their attempts to control entropy.”
“All right, so even if there is a threat, how is it our problem?” Sarai wanted to know. “Isn’t that what the Eternals and the Protectorate are for—it’s their job—let them do it!”
“Koass asked me to help.”
Sarai stared at him, fists on hips.
“He’s telling the truth,” Wren said. “Koass specifically asked Bannor to assist.”
“I was there,” Janai added. “He did ask.”
Sarai rubbed her forehead. “Pantheon lords are children to them and they need you? Why?”
Bannor shrugged.
“I think it’s because of his ability to bring savants together,” Janai said with a shrug. “You saw what the four of them did to that Baronian coven.”
Sarai folded her arms. “Well, Koass got help, they got their lead. As far as I’m concerned, Bannor has already done enough. Certain processes don’t hold themselves up simply because there’s some emergency, imaginary or otherwise. We, he and I, have an obligation to ourselves, my parents, and this kingdom. Anything that interferes with that had better be tearing down walls, understand?” She looked around. “The wedding is less than two moons away. The universe will have to hold off blowing up until after then.”
“Sarai,” Janai said. “You know that’s not the way life works.”
“It does now,” Sarai growled. “Eternity got by for a million millennia without Bannor, it can survive a couple of score-days more until after we are sworn. I—we—owe that to our parents.”
There was a clack of hard boots on foyer steps. “Pleasant are those words to hear,” a penetrating female voice said. “And spoken with such authentic conviction.”
Sarai’s eyes widened. “Mother?” She turned.
The Queen stood at the top of the steps dressed in the same gold robes as she had been earlier in the morning, long black rod resting over her shoulder. Kalindinai’s normally tightly coiffed dark hair lay loose and spread across her shoulders. The elf lady’s amber eyes which normally glowed brightly appeared dim, she was obviously tired. The Queen strolled down the steps, glancing around. When she reached the bottom step, she looked back to entrance and nodded.
The guards standing there stepped back and Laramis came through. The Justicar wore a frown on his chiseled features. Silently, he moved to a position at the head of the stairs behind Kalindinai. Bannor saw the man’s gaze track immediately to his wife and child, a smile flickering across his lips for them.
“It has been an interesting day,” Kalindinai said in a voice that wasn’t quite her official tone, but too sharp to be considered familiar or friendly. She moved forward toward the group with slow deliberate steps, hard heels clicking on the floor. “It started with an unpleasantness that became an investigation.” The Queen slid the rod off her shoulder and put it behind her back gripped by both hands. Her gaze tracked to Ryelle, then to Janai and Sarai. She turned and focused on Euriel and Vanidaar. After a moment, she turned her focus on Senalloy. “An investigation that, We are sorry to say, spared few feelings.” She drew a breath and stepped down into the conference circle. She looked at the mirror on its magically created stand and ran a hand along its wooden frame with a raised eyebrow. Her gaze panned over the gathered faces. “As you have probably guessed, the investigation has been completed. We have who we think is the perpetrator in custody.” She looked around. “We see that comes as no surprise to anyone here.”
“It’s great news, Mother,” Sarai said.
Kalindinai nodded. “Indeed.” She pushed out her lower lip. Fist at the small of her back, she tapped the long black rod on her shoulder. “Still, there are many discrepancies—unanswered questions—and some annoying mysteries.” She turned abruptly to Sarai. Bannor’s fiancé flinched, blinking her violet eyes in a sincere appearing show of innocence. “We would hate to think that Our own daughter would be so foolish as to interfere with an investigation when confidence among the noble houses is so shaky.” She pivoted so her gaze bracketed Janai and Ryelle. The two princesses straightened. “We would be even more disappointed to discover elder princesses might countenance, or worse, facilitate such an unwise activity.” She turned back to the mirror, making a show of studying it, her hand trailing across the frame again. Head bowed as though in thought she walked a circle around the mirror, continuing to speak. “We suppose it is fortunate that We discovered no evidence of tampering in the investigation or it would have made Us very cross.” She paused, head coming up and focusing on Euriel for a moment. She nodded and let out a breath. “Fortunate.” She shook her head. “Still, there were some troubling occurrences.” She swung around to face Wren who lurched back a step. “Skillfully foiled wards.” Her attention shifted to Daena. “Unexplained rumblings. And—” Kalindinai took a step and Bannor found himself eye-to-eye with the Queen. “The most peculiar inspiration We have ever experienced. Surprised enough were We to get word from Our daughter that our supposedly cloistered guests had discovered suspicious activity within Kul’Amaron nearly a thousand paces from their place of keeping. However, even as We rushed to follow this break We experienced a rather strange sensation and awareness. A third eye that came upon us in so timely a manner—so intense and specific. Why it was almost as if We were lead to the culprit, who by some strange coincidence was already disabled. Is that not fascinating, Bannor?”
“Yes, Matradomma,” he responded.
“Good, We are glad you are as intrigued as Ourselves. You see, this was no common assassin. This was a Silissian Morgeer, a specially bred doppelgänger that can only be acquired at extreme expense. She, and We use the term lightly, was well armed with powerful magicks proof against scrying and magical detection. It would take the power of oh—” She glanced to Euriel and then to Senalloy. “An elder mage to pierce such a veil of concealment.” She returned her gaze to Bannor. “Quite a stroke of incredible luck, would you not say?”
“Carellion smiled on you to be sure, Matradomma,” Bannor responded.
“Yes, We were blessed indeed because if it was not just a wild stroke of luck, We would have to thank someone for their assistance. Of course, we all know that interfering would have been bad. We would have to laud their ingenuity and skill whilst smacking them upside the head for what could only be deemed as unsanctioned espionage and trespass. That would put Us in an untenable and uncomfortable position, wouldn’t you agree—Bannor?”
“Yes, Matradomma.”
“We sincerely hope,” the Queen continued. “That there will be no further revelations that complicate this matter.”
“Matradomma, I have a strong suspicion there won’t be,” he responded.
“Good,” she responded with a nod. “We know you have an extraordinary intuition. So that sets Our mind at ease.” She let out a breath. “We are not quite ready to call the matter done, but We would welcome a rest. We see your maids setting the table as though for early sup, pray might We join you?”
“Of course, Mother,” Sarai said. “Will Father be joining us?”
“Shortly,” she said. “He is organizing security around the prisoner. We decided her importance was sufficie
nt that she is being held in one of the ghost vaults to ensure no outside accidents or tampering occur.”
Sarai called out to the maids and two more places at the thirty-person table were set.
After a few long moments it appeared that Daena had finally screwed up her courage to speak. “Matradomma, any clue as to what this Morgeer was after?”
The Queen stared at Daena a moment, probably digesting this latest alteration in the girl’s appearance. The auburn-hair and glowing green eyes were always the giveaway. Kalindinai pushed out her lower lip. “Actually, We plan a long discussion with yourself and Our daughter on that precise topic. That can wait until tomorrow, there has already been far too much investigating today.”
Daena’s brow furrowed, expression tightening in a look of concern. “Oh.” She responded in a tiny voice.
The Queen turned to her daughters. “So, what was Sarai on about as I was coming in? What has my son-to-be done now?”
He frowned at Kalindinai and sighed. It would always be his fault.
“Brother Bannor has simply been off adventuring,” Ryelle informed the Queen. “Winning friends,” she gestured to Senalloy, Corim, and Dulcere. “But no closer to finishing the learning set before him.”
Kalindinai’s brow furrowed and she folded her arms. “Bannor, did I not ask you to do me this favor? I could have made it an order.”
Bannor winced. “I am trying Matradomma, these are not easy things for me…”
Over the Queen’s shoulder he saw Corim whispering something in Dulcere’s ear. The ancient Kriar was nodding in response.
Seeing him put on the spot, apparently Sarai took some pity on him because she broke in. “There is one other thing, Mother,” she held up her hand. “While he was out, Bannor got me a ring.”
The Queen who was about to start on him, diverted to examine the ring that Sarai was keeping on a chain around her neck. Kalindinai was both a woman and an elf, and a she had no lack of love for things that sparkled.
Kalindinai smiled, turning the jeweled circle so the colors flashed in the light. “Oooh.” She glanced at Bannor with a raised eyebrow. “You picked this out?”
He cleared his throat. “With help.”
The Queen nodded. “We approve. Most excellent. Now, about the ceremony—”
The Queen frowned at the Kriar. “Yes, Arwen Dulcere?”
Kalindinai leaned her head to one side. “Now?”
“All right, leave us to it then,” she turned a frown on Bannor that said she would come back to finish what she started. “Ryelle will accompany us though.”
Dulcere bowed her head in acquiescence.
The elder sister lead the way and the three of them headed off into the back hall.
Bannor felt a cold chill and looked toward Corim. “What was that about?”
Corim held up his hand. “I think it will work out, Friend.”
He narrowed his eyes. “What will work out?”
Corim made staying gestures with his hands. “Let’s just see.”
Sarai put fists on hips, and looked in the direction that her mother had gone.
“Don’t pay it any mind,” Janai said, pulling on her sister’s arm. “Let’s eat before it gets cold.”
“Yes…” Sarai’s voice trailed off. She raised her voice. “Everyone, we may as well retire to our repast. The stewards have finished at the table.”
Bannor followed Sarai to the table but couldn’t help but glance down the hall where the Queen and Dulcere had disappeared. The Kriar woman had headed off the Queen in her chastising him for his poor progress in learning the wedding ceremony essentials. He glanced at the big man, Corim, who was near the other end of the table now leaned close and speaking with Senalloy. The tall silver-haired Baronian was nodding. He felt a chill. What was Dulcere telling the Queen?
Sarai’s hand on his shoulder startled him. “My One?”
He looked down at Sarai who was already seated at the right of the head of the table. “What?”
She rolled her violet eyes and pulled down on his shoulder. “Sit.”
“Oh.” He sat.
“What are you afraid she’ll say that has you so preoccupied? She knows almost nothing about you.”
Bannor blinked meeting her gaze. He let out a breath slowly. “Uh, I—I’m not sure.”
What was Dulcere thinking? It had been so abrupt. He hoped she didn’t make things worse. He looked down the table to Corim. Though he never saw them converse, the big man seemed to immediately recognize what Dulcere had in mind. He shook his head, he would probably know what they were up to soon enough.
He took the white cloth on his plate and folded it how Sarai had showed him and placed it across his knees. He noticed Sarai watching him as she always did now. He noted her satisfied smile. At least he could do some things right…
“What do you think of Dawnelle Ralani?” Sarai asked next to him, reaching out to rub his hand.
“Pardon?”
“As a name for our daughter, Silly.” She put a hand across her abdomen and smiled at him.
“Oh,” he rubbed the back of his head. Where had that come from? First she was scolding him—now, baby names? He was clueless. “It sounds nice,” he tried.
“But do you like it?”
He winced. He hated when she asked his opinion on such things. He’d rather wrestle with an ogre. A steward came by his place and poured wine in his goblet. By way of delay, Bannor took the container between in his fingers and nodded thanks over it. He took a careful sip of fiery tasting sweet wine and placed the cup with a practiced flourish. While he didn’t appreciate all the fancy dinner table etiquette, eating was a topic interesting enough to practice at… He sighed. Name. Response. She’s waiting. Be careful, but truthful. “Star, Dawnelle… it’s pretty… but is it strong enough?”
Sarai turned her head, looking up at him through her lashes. “Strong enough? What do you mean?”
“You are going to be her mother, and Kalindinai and Jhaann will be her grand parents, she’ll have a family of warriors and mages for relatives and friends. She needs a strong name.”
Sarai turned her head to the other side and raised and eyebrow. “Like?”
Damn. He knew she would do that. He took another sip of wine. Suddenly, he realized Janai and Daena, who were sitting across the table from them were also looking at him. “Well… I’m a little partial to… Vhina Drielle. Her friends would probably call her ‘Vee’ or ‘Vye’.”
Sarai pursed her lips in thought. “I like Drielle, my great grandmother is named Drielle.”
Janai raised her goblet. “I like it.”
“So do I,” Daena chimed in.
“But Vhina?” Sarai repeated. “It sounds so…”
“Human?” he tried. “What’s wrong with that?”
“Because she’ll be an elf—a noble elf.”
He frowned at her. “Your father would be proud.”
Sarai’s brow furrowed. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“I think he’s implying you sound like Father,” Janai put in. “Which with that statement, you do.”
She snorted and started to reply when Kalindinai and Ryelle came out of the back hall trailed by Dulcere. The Kriar strolled along in their wake, hands behind her back a contemplative almost mischievous expression on her face. The sight sent a chill of dread down his spine. What had that black-eyed other-worlder told them?
The Queen settled herself at the head of the table with Ryelle at her right. Dulcere found a place next to Corim and leaned close to listen to something he asked. Bannor looked back to find the Queen studying him, chin resting on her laced fingers.
“Sarai?” Kalindinai said after a moment. The tone the Queen used was wispy and thoughtful. What had
the Kriar woman said?
Sarai’s brow furrowed, obviously the change in tone perplexed her as well. “Yes, Mother?”
“Lady Dulcere has brought some troubling things to my attention.”
Sarai frowned. “Troubling?”
The Queen glanced at Ryelle who pursed her lips. “Yes, at the moment those particulars need not be discussed. The issue however is Bannor’s readiness for the ceremony soon upon us.”
“Yes, Mother, he and I have an agreement—”
Kalindinai held up a hand to forestall her. “Lady Dulcere made a proposal to me that I would like you to hear.”
Sarai narrowed her eyes. “Concerning what?”
“Dulcere promised that in return for Bannor’s assistance in their matter which is not to interfere with his officiating duties for the kingdom, that she and Corim would guarantee he learns everything he needs for the ceremony, including learning to speak and write in High Elvish.”
Bannor felt a chill. “What?” He looked down to Dulcere to Corim, the two were looking back at him.
“Mother,” Sarai started. “We don’t know them, how can we…?”
“Lady Dulcere demonstrated some very convincing credentials. Master Vale holds high rank as a Matayan Lore speaker so I am fairly confident they could accomplish the task. Provided Bannor cooperated of course. We both know his efforts of late have been reticent at best.”
Bannor gritted his teeth. He felt the stab of Sarai’s stare before she turned her attention back to her mother.
“Sar,” Ryelle said leaning forward. “I think you and Bannor should accept. Everybody will get what they want. You know he won’t focus as long as he thinks these creatures and this Genemar thing are a threat. If he can do his investigations and learn what he needs to perform the nuptials, then we’ll all be happier.”
Reality's Plaything 3: Eternal's Agenda Page 30
